03282013 - Amanda Bach Murder Case - Dustin McCowan Sentenced

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[IN] Amanda Bach Murder Case - 
Dustin McCowan's Appeal
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2014/04/in-amanda-bach-murder-case-dustin.html

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The Case:

Dustin McCowan: son of Crown Point Indiana police officer Joseph Elliott McCowan. Convicted in February 2013 of murdering Amanda Bach [Portage IN - September 16, 2011]. Sentenced to 60 years in prison [March 2013].

Immediately following the murder of Amanda Bach the Porter County SD also began investigating Dustin McCowan's father: Officer Joseph Elliot McCowan, for his possible role in hiding key evidence [ Amanda's cell phone; the gun; etc] in the murder case against his son / Dustin. In April 2013 the Porter County SD discontinued its investigation of Officer McCowan. The sheriff department, prosecutor, and Amanda's parents believe that Officer McCowan played a role in covering up the murder of Amanda.

The Porter County Sheriff Department said the investigation of Officer McCowan could be re-opened if they receive new information in the case.

McCowan fails in first bid to overturn murder conviction

May 03, 2013 - 4:35 pm
Bob Kasarda
NWI Times

VALPARAISO - Dustin McCowan has failed in his first shot at overturning his 60-year sentence and conviction for murdering former girlfriend Amanda Bach.

Porter Superior Court Judge Bill Alexa on Friday tossed out claims that he erred by not stepping aside after learning about a telephone call with McCowan from the jail that included derogatory and threatening remarks about prosecutors, police and their family members.

Public defender Mitch Peters argued 20-year-old McCowan's original defense team did not know about the call until Alexa commented on it during sentencing or it would have asked the judge to recuse himself.

The judge mentioning the call indicated "a personal prejudice and animosity against the defendant," Peters said.

Alexa said in his Friday order that the court is made aware of any potential threats involving staff or participants in order to determine whether there is a risk to personal safety. That is what occurred in this case, and Alexa said he determined there was no threat.

This type of communication is carried out for safety reasons and does not require recusal, he said.

Alexa also said in his order that Peters filed the challenge April 18, before a written transcript was even available of the March 28 sentencing hearing.

According to Friday's order, Alexa had said during the sentencing hearing that McCowan said no when it was suggested during the recorded telephone call that it would be appropriate for prosecutors' children to be killed "so that they would know what this is all about." As a result, Alexa said he did not take the call into consideration when he decided on a sentence.

The call in question was between McCowan and an unnamed person.

Peters has said this failed motion to correct errors was a prerequisite for appeal when addressing newly discovered evidence that could not have been discovered at the time of trial. He reserves the right to take up other issues on direct appeal, but first must review the record considering he did not represent McCowan at the time of trial.

A jury found McCowan guilty in February of shooting his former girlfriend, 19-year-old Bach, of Portage, in the throat during the early morning hours of Sept. 16, 2011, after she showed up at the Union Township home he was living in at the time with his father.

Bach's partially clothed body was found the next day, less than 300 yards from the house in a wooded area along County Road 625 West at the Canadian National Railroad tracks.

McCowan, who has maintained his innocence, has been transferred to the Pendleton Correctional Facility to begin serving his time. He is listed on the DOC's online offender search site with a release date of Sept. 17, 2041.

McCowan seeking to toss out conviction/sentence
April 19, 2013 - 8:00 pm
Bob Kasarda
NWI Times
nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/wheeler/mccowan-seeking-to-toss-out-conviction-sentence/article_4c559ef4-c6b0-5152-9ed4-980dae989a79

VALPARAISO - A public defender brought in to handle the appeal for convicted murderer Dustin McCowan is seeking to toss out the conviction and/or 60-year sentence because Porter Superior Court Judge Bill Alexa did not step aside after learning about a telephone call with McCowan from the jail that includes derogatory and threatening remarks about the judge.

The original defense attorneys, who did not learn about the recorded call until Alexa made reference to it during the March 28 sentencing, would have asked the judge to recuse himself had they been made aware of it ahead of time, said attorney Mitch Peters.

Alexa mentioning the call during sentencing indicates "a personal prejudice and animosity against the defendant inspired by said conversation," Peters wrote as part of his motion to correct errors filed Thursday.

Alexa said at sentencing that the call by McCowan at the jail included a comment that prosecutors would have to experience the murder of their own children to understand what the McCowans were going through.

No hearing had been set on the motion as of Friday.

Peters argues that state trial rules say that "the court, if it determines that prejudicial or harmful error has been committed, shall take such action as will cure the error." The potential remedies include a new trial or modifying the original judgment.

Peters said this motion to correct errors is a prerequisite for appeal when addressing newly discovered evidence that could not have been discovered at the time of trial. He reserves the right to take up other issues on direct appeal, but first must review the record considering he did not represent McCowan at the time of trial.

Those original defense attorneys — John Vouga and Nicholas Barnes — submitted a sworn affidavit supporting the claims that they were not made aware of the recording before the sentencing hearing and would have asked Alexa to recuse himself had they been provided a copy ahead of time.

A jury found McCowan guilty in February of shooting his former girlfriend, 19-year-old Amanda Bach, of Portage, in the throat during the early morning hours of Sept. 16, 2011, after she showed up at the Union Township home he was living in at the time with his father.

Bach's partially clothed body was found the next day less than 300 yards from the house in a wooded area along County Road 625 West at the Canadian National Railroad tracks.

McCowan, 20, who has maintained his innocence, has been transferred to the Pendleton Correctional Facility to begin serving his time. He is listed on the DOC's online offender search site with a release date of Sept. 17, 2041.

McCowan transferred to begin serving 60-year term for murder
April 16, 2013 - 1:00 pm
Bob Kasarda
NWI Times
nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/wheeler/mccowan-transferred-to-begin-serving—year-term-for-murder/article_93678dbf-a71d-5ef7-87a6-3265c1aaffe6

VALPARAISO - Less than three weeks after being sentenced to 60 years for murdering his former girlfriend, Dustin McCowan has been transferred to the Pendleton Correctional Facility to begin serving his time.

The prison is one of four maximum-level facilities in the state, which are used to house inmates with long sentences, said Douglas Garrison, chief communications officer with the Indiana Department of Correction.

McCowan, 20, is listed on the DOC's online offender search site with a release date of Sept. 17, 2041.

This reflects the earliest date he would be released if his behavior remains good and he earns a day off for each day served, Garrison said. The release date could come even sooner if McCowan shaves more time off by taking part in educational or other programs.

The county's public defender office has been assigned to file an appeal on McCowan's behalf, in an attempt at getting a reduced sentence or having his conviction set aside.

Garrison said legislation is pending before state lawmakers that would increase the amount of time served by giving inmates the opportunity to earn one day off for every three days of good behavior. Any changes would not apply to McCowan.

A jury found McCowan guilty in February of shooting 19-year-old Amanda Bach, of Portage, in the throat during the early morning hours of Sept. 16, 2011, after she showed up at the Union Township home he was living in at the time with his father.

Bach's body was found the next day less than 300 yards from the house in a wooded area along County Road 625 West at the Canadian National Railroad tracks.

McCowan, who has maintained his innocence, declined the opportunity to testify during his nearly monthlong trial or to address the court at sentencing, other than saying, "I don't think the court deserves it, your honor."

Day of beauty fund-raiser honors Bach, raises awareness
April 04, 2013 - 8:08 pm
Lesley Bailey
NWI Times
nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valparaiso/day-of-beauty-fund-raiser-honors-bach-raises-awareness/article_0712175d-b5b3-5b07-bad3-7612f8ca43d7

VALPARAISO - Anna McDonald hopes a day of beauty will not only honor the memory of Amanda Bach but also will bring awareness to dating violence and relationship abuse.

"The main theme for this fundraiser is to educate and provide awareness to families and teenagers about the warning signs of relationship abuse and that help is available," said McDonald, a Mary Kay director.

"Quite often, victims of abuse - especially mental and verbal - mistakenly accept the directed behavior as ‘normal’ or ‘no big deal’ because it is coming from someone they trust, maybe even someone they thought that they loved at one time."

Dustin McCowan was recently sentenced to a near-maximum of 60 years in prison for the Sept. 16, 2011, murder of Amanda, who was his former girlfriend.

A presentation based on the "Don’t Look Away/Love is Respect" campaign will be part of the fund-raiser from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday April 20 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 505 Bullseye Lake Road.

"A main informational point of this presentation includes the discussion of an anonymous telephone hotline where victims of abuse can call and receive free advice from peers outside of their social circle. The anonymous hotline provides an avenue of hope to victims, especially teenagers, who are too embarrassed or scared to discuss their concerns with parents," McDonald said.

The event will also include complimentary skin care sessions, a silent auction, raffle and refreshments. There is no cost for the pampering sessions but appointments need to be made by contacting McDonald at (219) 508-8790

All proceeds from the sale of Mary Kay products and the silent auction/raffle and contributions will be donated. Half will go to the church and half will be given to Valparaiso’s The Caring Place, which provides services and shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, per the request of Sandy and Bill Bach in memory of Amanda.

McDonald said she and her husband, Eric, decided to have the fund-raiser to assist Amanda’s parents in continuing to honor their daughter as the Bachs were good friends and neighbors of Eric from 2002-06.

"Amanda and her sister spent a lot of time playing with Eric’s daughter during that time," she said. "Needless to say, it is very hard to comprehend losing a daughter … a vibrant, beautiful young lady with such a bright future and zest for life.

"As parents, all of us are heartbroken and crushed that something this horrific could happen to somebody’s child - especially a friend’s child - and from our local community. It hit close to home because it happened to someone we knew very well, and her life was stolen from her by someone she knew, someone that she trusted."

McDonald said as a Mary Kay director, the day of beauty event was the one way she felt she could help.

"We want to help teenagers realize that any form of abuse, mental or physical, is never OK," she said.

Those who cannot attend, but wish to donate should contact McDonald at (219) 508-8790

For Mary Kay's 50th anniversary, there is a limited edition compact with a Swarovski crystal that is at the center of the "Love is Respect/Don’t Look Away" campaign with $1 from the sale of each compact going to help fund it.

Amanda Bach murder: Dustin McCowan sentenced to 60 years in prison
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Ben Bradley
WLS- TV Chicago IL
abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=9044952

[IN] Amanda Bach murder- Dustin McCowan sentenced to 60 years in prison- Mar 28, 2013

[IN] Amanda Bach murder- Dustin McCowan sentenced to 60 years in prison- Mar 28, 2013

March 28, 2013 (VALPARAISO, Ind.) (WLS) -- Portage, Indiana teen Amanda Bach was found dead about 300 feet from her one-time boyfriend Dustin McCowan's home in September 2011.

On Thursday 20-year-old McCowan received the near-maximum sentence Thursday for the shooting death of Bach. He was convicted for the murder in February 2013.

Before his sentence was handed down, McCowan refused to make a statement to the court.

"I don't think this court deserves it," he said defiantly.

McCowan offered a slight smile in the courtroom just minutes after a Porter County judge sentenced him to 60 years behind bars.

Amanda Bach's mother Sandy Bach took the stand at the sentencing hearing to describe the impact of loss of her daughter at the age of 19.

Though tears, she said, "I will not let you get the best of me Dustin, I will not. You can't even look at me, can you?"

In an unusual argument, prosecutors blamed not only Dustin McCowan but also his family. The judge revealed today an unidentified relative was heard on a prison phone telling him:

"It would be appropriate if the deputy prosecuting attorneys' children were killed so they would know what it's like."

Dustin McCowan's father Elliott McCowan is a Crown Point police officer. The sheriff's office previously said they were looking into whether he helped hide the murder weapon.

Ex-Boyfriend Gets 60 Years in Teen's Murder
Investigators say they continue probe into Dustin McCowan's family
Thursday, Mar 28, 2013
Updated 8:48 PM CDT
Charlie Wojcifchowski
NBC News - Chicago, IL
nbcchicago.com/news/local/dustin-mccowan-sentence-amanda-bach-murder-200532401

[IN] Ex-Boyfriend Gets 60 Years in Teen's Murder- Mar 28, 2013

Emotions ran high outside an Indiana courtroom Thursday afternoon after Dustin McCowan, the man convicted last month of killing his ex-girlfriend, was sentenced to 60 years in prison.

His family vowed to appeal.

"I'm his mother. The fact is, he's innocent and we will appeal," a defiant Jame Tome told reporters outside the Porter County Courthouse.

By contrast, McCowan, 20, was stoic as Judge William Alexa handed down the sentence for his role in the September 2011 shooting death of Amanda Bach. Earlier, he'd declined to make a statement to the court.

I don’t think the court deserves it, your honor," he said.

Amanda Bach's parents said the sentence was bittersweet.

"I guess what we would like would be life without parole. I mean, he doesn't deserve to talk the streets," said Bach's father, William Bach. "He'll be younger than me when he gets out of prison."

Bach's body was found in a wooded area near McCowan's home in Union Township three days after the 19-year-old disappeared.

Despite the conviction and sentencing, investigators say their work in the case isn't over. Prosecutors said they area looking into the possibility that McCowan's family tried to protect him by hiding evidence. It's an allegation McCowan's father, a Crown Point police officer, denies.

"Everybody has their own opinions," Elliot McCowan said as he walked away from the courthouse.

In her remarks, deputy prosecutor Cheryl Polarek said Dustin McCowan is a product of his environment and of those with whom he lives.

Dustin McCowan sentenced to 60 years in murder of Amanda Bach
March 28, 2013 - 6:30 pm
Bob Kasarda
NWI Times
nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage/dustin-mccowan-sentenced-to-years-in-murder-of-amanda-bach/article_68724af1-088d-5653-846f-378959690a25

VALPARAISO - Dustin McCowan smiled with jail guards as he was escorted out of the courtroom Thursday afternoon after being sentenced to a near-maximum of 60 years in prison for the Sept. 16, 2011 murder of his former girlfriend Amanda Bach of Portage.

The 20-year-old, who has grown a beard since last month's trial, declined an opportunity to comment before sentencing, saying only, "I don't think the court deserves it your honor."

He was found guilty of shooting 19-year-old Bach in the throat during the early morning hours after she showed up at the Union Township home he was living in at the time with his father. Bach's partially clothed body was found the following day less than 300 yards from the house in a wooded area along County Road 625 West at the Canadian National Railroad tracks.

The victim's father, Bill Bach, called the sentence bittersweet, pointing out that McCowan could be Bach's age when released from prison, if he is eligible to cut his terms in half with good behavior and participation in various programs.

"I guess what we would like would be life without parole," he said.

His wife, Sandy Bach, objected to the defense comparing McCowan going to prison to her daughter's death.

"Their loss doesn't compare to our loss," she said.

While the sentencing brought an end to the local stage of the high profile case, which included a nearly month-long trial in February, Porter Superior Court Judge Bill Alexa appointed the public defender's office to begin work on the appeal.

Emotions were high in the packed courtroom Thursday, with a McCowan supporter storming out of the hearing after Deputy Prosecutor Cheryl Polarek called members of the McCowan family "dishonest, cowardly and pathetic."

Polarek also referenced a recorded telephone call with McCowan at the jail that the judge later explained included a comment that prosecutors would have to experience the murder of their own children to understand what the McCowans were going through.

"Dustin McCowan is the way he is because of the adults in his life," Polarek said.

County police have revealed that they believe McCowan's father, Elliott McCowan, a Crown Point police officer, may have aided his son in attempting to cover up the murder.

Sandy Bach fueled the emotional atmosphere of the courtroom with a lengthy statement describing the many levels of pain she has suffered as a result of the murder and the challenges she faces without Amanda in her life.

"I will not let you get the best of me, Dustin, I will not," she said repeatedly during the statement. "You don't like hearing that, do you?"

Bill Bach, described the pain he felt watching McCowan plug his ears and look toward the floor whenever photos of his dead daughter were shown and discussed during the trial.

"I will have to leave his fate in the hands of God," he said.

The McCowan family declined comment as they left the courtroom, but defense attorney John Vouga characterized the near-maximum sentence as "a mere formality" that offers more fuel for the appeal that he voiced confidence would result in a reversal and chance for a new trial with an unbiased jury from outside the county.

McCowan's defense team spent much of the trial criticizing the police investigation as inadequate. The defense has raised questions about the involvement of other individuals, including the Wheeler man who helped police locate Bach's body.

Boyfriend Gets 60 Years In Portage Woman’s Murder
March 28, 2013 - 4:58 PM
CBS News - Chicago, IL
chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/03/28/boyfriend-gets-60-years-in-portage-ind-womans-murder/"-years-in-portage-ind-womans-murder

[IN] Boyfriend Gets 60 Years In Portage Woman’s Murder- Mar 28, 2013

(CBS) — While family and friends searched for his missing girlfriend, Dustin McCowan partied, according to police. Now, he’ll be spending 60 years in prison for her murder.

The sentence was handed down Thursday afternoon in Valparaiso, Ind.

McCowan, 20, was apparently jealous in his rocky relationship with Amanda Bach, 19, of Portage. Police found her body close to railroad tracks, about 300 yards from McCowan’s home in Wheeler, Ind. in September 2011.

Prosecutors said the bullet in her body matched the ammunition in McCowan’s father’s gun, which was missing.

Bach’s father, William, says the 60-year sentence is not strict enough.

"I guess what we would like is life without parole. I mean, he doesn’t deserve to walk the streets," he told reporters.

McCowan’s lawyers claimed the police investigation was flawed. They also raised questions about the involvement of other people.

Tensions ran high as the McCowan’s father, Elliot, left the Porter County Courthouse. The Crown Point police officer is under investigation, for potentially helping hide evidence in Bach’s murder, according to police.

"Everybody has their own opinions," he said.

Said William Bach, "My gut feeling is he had something to do with it, to help him."

McCowan murder sentencing
Thursday March 27, 2013 - 5:15 pm
Bob Kasarda
NWI Times
nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage/mccowan-murder-sentencing-thursday/article_52753849-c0e3-5990-b1ce-0bd9193dfd6e.html

VALPARAISO - Thirty days after Dustin McCowan was whisked out of the courtroom after being found guilty of murdering former girlfriend Amanda Bach, he will make a return visit Thursday afternoon to face sentencing.

The 20-year-old faces between 45 and 65 years behind bars.

Security is expected to be as tight Thursday as it was during the trial that lasted much of February before Porter Superior Court Judge Bill Alexa.

The trial attracted a full house of family members and supporters from both sides, who are expected to return for the 2 p.m. sentencing.

McCowan was convicted Feb. 26 of the Sept. 16, 2011, slaying of 19-year-old Bach, of Portage, whose body was found with a bullet hole through the throat along railroad tracks less than 300 yards from the Union Township home McCowan was living in at the time with his father.

While the mothers of McCowan and Bach cried when the verdict was read, McCowan, who was standing, closed his eyes and then sat down and looked toward the floor.

Amanda Bach's father, Bill Bach, said at the time he is hoping for the maximum sentence, but pointed out McCowan still will be a young man when he’s released.

Defense attorney John Vouga said he plans to appeal.

McCowan's defense team had taken the unusual step of securing the right to attend a standard, court-ordered interview with McCowan that is part of a report used for sentencing.

Vouga said he wanted to be present to protect McCowan's constitutional rights and steer his client away from discussing his version of the events. Vouga said he encourages his clients to direct the probation officer asking this type of question back to the details in the plea agreement or to the facts that came out during a trial.

Porter County Chief Probation Officer Stephen Meyer disagreed with the approach, saying his officers are instructed by state policy to seek out the defendant's version of the crime as part of the job of painting a full picture of the individual for the judge to consider at sentencing.

Meyer said he understood Vouga's desire to limit the information provided by McCowan in preparation for an appeal. The problem, he said, is the presence of an attorney can interfere with defendant sharing information and it is in the defendant's best interest to cooperate.

McCowan's lawyer to sit in interview
March 09, 2013 - 11:35 pm
Bob Kasarda
NWI Times
nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage/mccowan-s-lawyer-to-sit-in-interview/article_bd21ab88-2008-51ab-8bea-a4fc57b58352

VALPARAISO - Attorneys for convicted murderer Dustin McCowan have taken the unusual step of securing the right to attend a court-ordered interview with McCowan to be used when he is sentenced March 28.

Defense attorney John Vouga said he or his legal partner, Nicholas Barnes, want to be present to protect McCowan's constitutional rights.

"We encourage them to cooperate," Vouga said of his clients. "The only element that we feel is essential is when a probation officer tries to talk to a defendant about his version of the events."

McCowan, 20, was convicted Feb. 26 of the Sept. 16, 2011, slaying of an ex-girlfriend, Amanda Bach, 19. Bach's body was found with a bullet hole through the throat along railroad tracks less than 300 yards from the Union Township home he was living in at the time with his father.

McCowan faces between 45 and 65 years behind bars.

Vouga said he encourages his clients to direct the probation officer asking this type of question back to the details in the plea agreement or to the facts that came out during a trial.

"He doesn't need to get the defendant's version," he said.

Porter County Chief Probation Officer Stephen Meyer disagreed.

Probation officers are instructed by state policy to seek out the defendant's version of the crime as part of the job of painting a full picture of the individual for the judge to consider at sentencing, he said.

The presentence report in question includes all sorts of details of the offender's life, including past criminal history, mental health and any substance abuse.

The report also includes a risk assessment and needs, and a victim's impact statement.

"I don't think an attorney should be sitting in on these interviews," Meyer said.

Meyer said he understands Vouga's desire to limit the information provided by McCowan in preparation for an appeal in the high-profile murder of Bach, a Portage resident.

The problem is the presence of an attorney can interfere with defendant sharing information needed for the presentence report, he said. It is in the defendant's best interest to cooperate.

"This is their chance to present themselves the best they can for the judge," Meyer said.

The interview in question has yet to take place, but will likely last between two and three hours, he said. The entire presentence report is typically 10 pages in length and should be complete by March 21 or 22.

Also See:

Updates on Amanda Bach Murder Case are on the 
Michigan Officer Involved Domestic Violence Website:
[IN] Amanda Bach Murder Case
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2011/09/in-amanda-bach-murder-case_16.html

Amanda Bach Murder Case - Videos http://abbiandbaileyfromtheheart.blogspot.com/2011/09/amanda-bach-murder-case-videos.html

Amanda Bach Murder - Dustin McCowan charged with murder – September 16, 2011http://abbiandbaileyfromtheheart.blogspot.com/2011/09/amanda-bach-murder-dustin-mccowan_16.html

Amanda Bach Murder Case - Investigation of Officer Joseph Elliott McCowan [Crown Point Indiana PD] - September 2011 - April 2013

http://abbiandbaileyfromtheheart.blogspot.com/2011/09/amanda-bach-murder-case-investigation.html

Amanda Bach Murder Case - Dustin McCowan Trial and Conviction- Feb 04, 2013http://abbiandbaileyfromtheheart.blogspot.com/2013/02/amanda-bach-murder-case-dustin-mccowan.html